Shuttle



C. S. COLE March 10, 1953 SHUTTLE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Original Filed Oct. 11, 1947 March 10; 1953 c. s'. COLE SHUTTLE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Original Filed Oct. 11, 1947 @M 4. M'Juv.

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHUTTLE Charles S. Cole, Sandy Hook, Conn., assignor to Fabric Fire Hosev Company, Sandy Hook, Conn., a corporation of New York 6 Claims. 1 -This invention relates to shuttles, and more particularly to brake means for controlling the tension of the weft. thread as it is unwound from a weft package upon the shuttle.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 779,243 filed October 11, 1947, for Circular Looms and Method of Operating Same, which has matured into Patent No. 2,609,838.

The circular loom of said application is capable of operating at a much higher speed than the commercial looms now in use, and instead of using two or more shuttles as is customary, it employs only a single shuttle which extends more than half way around the central axis of the loom and carries two Weft packages disposed 180 apart. The shuttle is so constructed that it is balanced as to centrifugal forces, and the fact that the weft packages are disposed 188 apart on the shuttle helps to maintain the balanced condition of the rotating shuttle as the weft threads are unwound simultaneously from the two weft packages.

The present invention relates primarily to shuttlesof the type disclosed in said application and which carried two weft packages disposed 180 apart, and particularly to brake means for each weft package controlled by the tension of the weft thread from such package and operable to control the let-ofi rotation of the package. It is desired to point out however that the features of the present invention are not limited in their use to the type of shuttle just mentioned, since some of these features may be employed on other types of shuttles in which brake means are desired to control the tension of the weft thread to regulate the rotation of the weft package in an unwinding direction.

The single shuttle herein contemplated preferably' extends more than two-thirds the way around the loom axis, so that the weight of the shuttle is well distributed around the central axis of the loom. It is possible to make such a shuttle balanced within its own structure as to centrifugal forces, so that it is well adapted for high speed operation. Such a, shuttle permits the use of three supporting rollers secured thereupon 120 apart about the looms axis to engage the shuttle raceway at three evenly distributed points around the loom, axis. This forms a highly stable support for the rotating shuttle and causes the present shuttle to differ greatly in stability from the shuttles employed heretofore, and wherein all the weight. of a shuttle. is disposed at one side of the loom axis. Such prior shuttles have no adequate means for counterbalancing the centrifugal force acting on the shuttle. The present shuttle is well adapted to support two weft packages disposed apart so that the centrifugal force of one will counterbalance the centrifugal force of the other.

One advantage of employing a shuttle provided with two weft packages is that a weft thread can be drawn from each package at the same time during the weaving operation, so that the size of the two packages will be reduced simultaneously to keep the shuttle balanced as to centrifugal force whether the weft packages are large or small. The two weft threads are laid in the same shed, which contributes to the weaving of a thinner and flatter fabric than is possible when a single weft thread of equivalent size to the two of my application above. cited was designed to threads is employed.

The circular loom forming the subject. matter weave fire hose formed of heavy strong yarns, and in such a loom it is important that the tension maintained on each Weft thread be substantial and accurately controlled. The brake mechanism of the present invention for controlling the rotation of the let-ofl package, and the arrangement wherebythe operation of such brake mechanism is controlled by the tension of the weft thread as. it unwinds from its let-off package gives accurate control of. the tension of each unwinding thread.

The above and other features of the present invention will be further understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end View of the loom shuttle of the present invention, looking towards the end from which the woven tubular fabric issues.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite end of the shuttle.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view through the loom shuttle and associated parts.

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional view showing how the weft package is removably supported by the loom shuttle; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view through friction-disk brake meansfor the weft package.

An important feature of the shuttle of the present invention resides in its construction whereby it is balanced as to centrifugal forces and therefore may be rotated at much higher speed than the unbalanced shuttles commonly employed heretofore. In order to make such shuttle balanced it is constructed to extend through more than 180 and preferably extends more than two-thirds the way around the central axis of the loom to facilitate the distribution of the weight evenly around the axis about which the shuttle rotates. It is necessary however that the shuttle be provided with an opening so that the inwardly deflected warps may pass into the central opening of the shuttle, while the outwardly deflected warps will pass outside of the rotating shuttle. In order to construct the shuttle so that the selected warp threads may pass inside or outside of the shuttle to form the desired shed, the shuttle is preferably given the c shape configuration shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, when seen in end view, but when seen in side view or sectional view the shuttle is somewhat conical in appearance as shown in Fig. 3.

The main body of the shuttle comprises a frustro-conical shell [0, which preferably has about one-third of its longitudinal wall cut away to provide an opening through which the warp threads may pass into and out of the interior of the shuttle. This shell i is provided at its smaller end with a C shape flange Ii having bolt holes formed therein to receive bolts which serve to secure a conical former ring 92 rigidly against this flange H as shown in Fig. 3. The smaller end of this conical ring fits within the tapered end of an outer ring of the loom (not shown) and surrounds an inner ring (not shown). A small space is provided between the end of the former ring l2 and the rings just mentioned to permit the passage of the warp threads W to the weaving point. The shuttle shown carries two weft supply packages l3 disposed 180 apart about the shuttle axis so that one will balance the other when the shuttle is rotating. These packages are mounted outside of the shuttle shell l0 and it is important to provide a skeleton frame about the shell Ill to hold the warp threads that are displaced outwardly clear of the weft packages 13. This skeleton frame in the construction shown is formed largely of bent round pipes. One of these pipes designated by M and which is C-shaped is welded to the large end of the shell in somewhat in the form of a bead as shown for example in Figure 3, and this pipe has an end portion 14' that extends outwardly and inclines away from the end of the plane of the shell as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to the shuttle nose ll. A continuation of this pipe I4 is bent in a reversed direction to form the curved heel l5 of the shuttle, and then is bent in the form of a second and larger 0 to provide the outer guard or spreader it. This portion of the guard also terminates adjacent the shuttle nose I! to help support and define the nose as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The outer G-shaped guard i6 is held in spaced relation to the inner c-shaped pipe M by a c-shaped flange l8 which is welded to the pipes l4 and i6 as shown in Fig. 3. A third C-shaped pipe I9 is provided about midway between the ends of the shell (9 and extends around the shell in embracing relation therewith and is welded to this shell. This pipe [9 is then bent in a reverse direction similar to the pipe l4 and extends outwardly to form the outer C-shaped guard 20, the outer end portion of which extends approximately longitudinally of the shell in an inclined direction to the nose H. The space between the C-shaped pipes 19 and 20 contains the C-shaped flange plate 2! which is welded to these two pipes. The pipes l4, I6 and 20 support the nose [1 so that it is I disposed outwardly a substantial distance both radially and longitudinally from the large end of the shuttle, and the construction is such that the shuttle is well balanced as to centrifugal forces.

When the shuttle is in operating position in the loom it is supported primarily by its engagement with an annular shuttle runway, but it is also supported at its smaller end by the engagement of the conical ring 12 of the shuttle with the divided warp threads where they pass between the inner and outer rings of the loom.

When the loom is threaded up and ready for operation the shuttle nose I! lies close to the row of reed fingers 22 supported by the encircling ring 23, and the tip of this nose is disposed outwardly a slight distance beyond the position occupied by the warp threads W when they are in the free shed position, indicated by a in Fig. 3. As a result of this arrangement, when the shuttle is rotated, all warp threads that lie in the free shed position marked a will be engaged by the tip of the nose I? and forced inwardly by the incline portion of the guide M to occupy a position within the hollow shuttle, such as that occuppied by the warp threads b in Fig. 3. On the other hand all warp threads that are displaced outwardly by a selector wheel 24 beyond the range of the tip of the nose I! will be forced furtheroutwardly by the curved portion of the guards l6 and 28 extending back from the shuttle nose so that these warps will occupy the position marked 0 in Fig. 3 of the drawing. In this manner the open shed shown in Fig. 3 is produced, through which the shuttle passes to lay the weft threads supplied by the two packages It in the shed. The shuttle is rotatably supported primarily by the rollers 25 disposed apart around the central axis of the shuttle and adapted to project through holes in the shell It and rotatably engage the fixed runway 26 of the loom. The shuttle is rotated by the shuttle pusher 2? indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and which engages and pushes upon the roller 25 located at the shuttle heel. The rollers 25 are attached to the flange l8 by the bolts 28.

Having described the shuttle illustrated in the drawings, the means for supporting the weft packages [3 on the shuttle and for controlling the tension of the weft threads as they are supplied to the weaving point by the running shuttle will now be described.

The means for supporting and controlling the tension of the weft thread is the same for both packages, so that the description of one will suffice for both. The weft thread T of a package 13 is wound upon a supporting tube 29 formed of paper or the like and this tube is of a size to fit snugly a package supporting shaft 38 which is formed throughout the major portion of its length with longitudinally extending ribs separated by slots so that these ribs will bite into the tube 29 to prevent relative rotation between the tube and shaft. One end of this shaft 30 is supported by a bracket 3 l in which i tiltingly mounted a collar 32. The bracket 3| is rigidly secured to the shuttle flange plate 18. The tilting collar 32 has mounted therein an anti-friction bearing that rotatably supports the shaft 36, and also supports this shaft for limited longitudinal movement. The arrangement is such that when the shaft 39 is supporting a weft package 13 in the operating position the shaft will occupy the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, but when it is necessary to replenish the weft package the shaft 3%? may be slid in the direction of its length as 5 shown in Fig. 4 sufficiently to disengage its op posite end from the supporting sleeve 33. The opening in this sleeve is provided with ribs and I slots adapted to fit the corresponding ribs and slots upon the shaft 3d so as to preventrelative rotation between this shaft 3t and the sleeve 33 when these parts are-in the operating position in which they are shown in Fig. 3. In order to prevent the shaft 30- frmaccidentally sliding lengthwise in its supporting bearings when the loom is in operation this shaft is slotted to receive: the spring latch 34 which. is shown in its retracted position in Fig. 4' and in its locked position in Fig. 3. The shaft supporting sleeve 33 is provided with an anti-friction bearing 35- which is. carried in the annular flange 3 6 of the flange plate 21. of the shuttle. This shaft supporting sleeve 3.3 has specially constructed brake means associated therewith. and adapted to retard the. rotation of the package $3 in the thread unwinding direction.

and the amount of braking force exerted on the sleeve. 33 is controlled by the tension. of the weft thread T.

Referring to Fig. of the drawing. it will be seen that. the shaft supporting sleeve 33 and bearing 3%: are mounted in the bearing supported ring 31 that. fits within an annular flange. To this ring. 3'! is rigidly secured a large flat head 38, and from diametrically opposite portions of this head project bolt receiving, lugs. The shaft sup-porting sleeve 33 has rigidly secured to one end thereof the friction disk 39 the opposite faces of which are covered with cork or they like. The construction is such that this. disk is confined between one face of the head 38 and a similar face of a movable head 49 having extending from diametrically opposite portions thereof bolt receiving lugs. This. movable head 43 is. mounted for limited sliding movement towards and from the friction disk 39. and is positioned. between the head 38, and a bridge bar 41 which is also provided with oppositeh extending bolt receiving lugs. The head 33 and bar 4| are rigidly clamped in spaced relationv to each other by the spacing bolts 42 having the enlarged central portion 43. These bolts 42 are provided with clamping nuts 44. The lugs provided upon the head 4! slidably engage the enlarged portion 43 of the spacer bolts 42.

The arrangement is such that pressure exerted upon the movable head 4|! in a manner to be described, forces it towards the disk 39 to thereby increase the friction retarding force exerted upon this rotating disk. The bar 4| has a relatively long hollow boss 45 and in this boss is mounted the internally threaded sleeve 46. This sleeve after it has been rotated in the boss 45 to the desired angular position is clamped in such position by a set screw 4?. This threaded sleeve has screwed therein the threaded post 48 and the end of this post which lies between the head 40 and bar 4! is provided with oppositely extending arms 49 and 5!), see Fig. 3. The arm 49 is provided near its outer end with a small wheel 5! about which the weft T is looped, and the outer end of the arm 50 is provided with a pin 52. To this pin is secured one end of the tension spring 53 (see Fig. 1) and the opposite end of this spring is anchored to the plate 2| at 54. The arrangement is such that the spring 53 tends continuously to rotate the threaded post 48 in a direction to move this post lengthwise towards the inbetween head 4!! so as to increase the friction pressure upon the disk 39 to thereby retard the rotation of the package l3 in the thread unwinding direction. This action of the spring 53 is opposed by the tension of the weft thread which fa looped around the roller 5 i Since thethueaded post 48 will be turned back and forth through a small angle as the tension uponthe weft. thread varies, and since this bolt acts to: exert an. end thrust against the. moving head 40', anti-friction means are provided between thehead 40, and post 43 comp-rising the hardened metal buttons 5512.116. 55 that abut one against the other as. shown. It will be understood from the construction just described that: any variation: in the tension of a weft thread being delivered to the weaving point will cause a slight rotation. of the threaded shaft 4am thereby vary thepressure: on. the friction disk 39 that controls the rotation of the. package 13.

As a. weft. thread T leaves either package [3 it passes about a guide bar 51 as shown. in Figs. 1 and 3, and then. to. a guide ringv 58;.attached to the shuttle shell it outside this shell and midway between the two packages 13, so that; the threads T travel from their respective packages to this common guide. ring 58. As: soon as these threads pass through this ring they travel away from each other along diverging paths as. shown in r'g. 3 and each passes through a hole in the flange plate 2.5. and then to a. guide ring 59 secured to this flange plate. Each thread T passes from a ring 59 towards. its brake control arm 49 which carries the thread. receiving-roller-Eil. It is looped about this roller and extends in a. reverse direction back to. a. guide ring 66. secured. to the plate 2 i. In this manner each thread T controls the brake connected to. its supply package.

In weaving, the two weft threads, are laid, in the same shed, this tends to produce high uniformity in the strength of the weft coils of the fabric. Both of these threads T are therefore shown in Fig. 1 as passing through the ring 611 which lies closest to the. thread guide slot 6| formed in the conical former ring l2. It will be seen from the construction just. described that the tension of each thread T is automatically controlled by the operation of such thread to vary the braking action that retards the rotation of the package supporting shaft 39. In order to Weave a strong closely constructed fabric it is important that the weft threads T be forced tightly into the crotch of the open shed as such threads are laid by the rotating shuttle. The conical ring 12 is therefor constructed as shown in Fig. 3 so that the reduced conical end of this ring will fit well into the crotch just mentioned. One wall of the slot BI is provided with a projecting lip 62 that has extending longitudinally thereof a groove adapted to receive two weft threads, and it operates to lay the threads in the shed as the shuttle rotates. This places the threads close to the bottom of a crotch formed by the open shed.

It will be understood from the foregoing that since the shuttle herein contemplated extends more than one-half way around the central axis of the circular loom, this shuttle can be provided with two weft packages disposed apart. In preparing to operate the present shuttle, packages iii of the same size and weight should be mounted on the supporting shafts 30 so that as the shuttle rotates these two packages will decrease in size at the same rate to maintain the balanced condition of the shuttle. It will also be seen that each weft thread T as a result of its engagement with the rocking lever 49 operates to vary the pressure upon the friction disk 39 to thereby control the unwinding action of the supply package I3 for such thread. As a result of this construction the tension of the two threads T as they are laid in the shed of the fabric is accurately controlled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a circular loom having a rotating shuttle, means upon the shuttle for carrying a weft package including a shaft adapted to support and rotate with the weft package as the latter is turned by the unwinding weft thread, a friction disk connected to said shaft, and means under the control of the tension of the weft thread for yieldingly engaging the friction disk to retard the rotation of said shaft.

2. In a circular loom having a rotating shuttle, means upon the shuttle for carrying a weft package including a shaft adapted to support and rotate with the Weft package as the latter is turned by the unwinding weft thread, a friction disk connected to said shaft, a movable and a fixed head between which the disk is gripped, and means under the control of the weft thread for varying the pressure of the movable head against said disk to thereby retard the'rotation of said shaft.

3. A shuttle for a circular loom constructed to extend through an arc of more than 180 and provided with two weft packages disposed 180 apart and operable simultaneously to pay off their threads to the running shuttle, a rotatable support on the shuttle for each package and secured to its package so as to turn as the package is turned by the unwinding weft thread, a friction brake for each support, and means under the control of the tension of the thread from the respective packages for varying the brake action upon each package.

4. A shuttle for a circular loom constructed to extend through an .arc of more than 180 and provided with two weft packages disposed 180 apart and operable simultaneously to pay off their threads to the running shuttle, a rotatable shaft on the shuttle for each package and secured to its package so as to turn as the package is rotated by the unwinding weft thread, a friction disk for each shaft, and means under the control of the tension of the thread from the respective packages and operable to vary the pressure on the friction disk for each package.

5. A shuttle for a circular loom constructed to extend through an arc of more than and provided with two weft packages disposed 180 apart and operable simultaneously to pay off their threads to the running shuttle, a rotatable shaft on the shuttle for each package and secured to its package to turn as the package is rotated by the unwinding weft thread, a friction disk secured to each shaft to rotate with such shaft and confined between two non-rotating friction members, and means under the control of the tension of the thread from the respective packages and operable to vary the pressure between said friction members for each package to thereby control the tension of each weft thread.

6. A loom shuttle provided with a rotatable shaft for supporting a weft package, said shaft being secured to the package to rotate therewith as the package is turned by the unwinding weft thread, a friction disk secured to said shaft to rotate therewith and confined between two nonrotating friction members, and means under the control of the tension of the weft thread to vary the pressure on said friction members and disk to thereby control the tension of the weft thread.

CHARLES S. COLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 39,197 Darker July 7, 1863 446,085 Stowe Feb. 10, 1891 1,659,259 Grout Feb. 14, 1928 1,671,976 Avery June 5, 1928 2,163,039 Hinricher June 20, 1939 2,533.782 Fischer Dec. 12, 1950 

